The Best Hipster Bars in Dublin

When you think of Dublin, it’s unlikely that you’re going to think of hipster pubs, but the truth is that there’s so much more to the city than traditional Irish music and pints of Guinness. The Irish craft beer scene is exploding and the country is one of the market leaders in exciting and innovative beers. Alongside this has been a massive rise in hipster bars that serve a massive range of spirits and beers, and some even include delicious homemade food. If you open your mind and go off the beaten tourist track, you’ll see that Dublin’s food and drink scene is hidden in hipster pubs will give you some of the best experiences on the island.

PMacs is a gem in Dublin’s hipster crown. Located in the middle of the south city center, this cute pub has large tables to be shared by different groups and small snugs for those who want a bit more privacy. As well as a brilliant range of beers, stouts, and spirits, they also serve super delicious food like fish tacos and chicken fingers so you can have dinner alongside your pint, accompanied by their signature red candles on candelabras. Make sure you talk to the bartenders to ask for suggestions, ’cos they really know their stuff.

Mulligan’s is located in the trendy city center neighborhood of Stoneybatter and its bartenders are more than happy to help you pick the perfect beer or wine. Their impressive food menu is accompanied by drinks suggestions for each dish, and they even package surprise beers and stouts in brown paper bags for people who fancy a gamble. The ambiance is warm and cozy, straddling hipster and traditional Irish with ease. When you go to pay the bill, they’ll serve you a little paper bag of retro sweets to send you on your way, which is the perfect end to a night of high-class food and drink.

Cassidy’s is the perfect spot for a casual pint. It’s a dark spot on a busy street in Dublin’s city center, but it’s the perfect place for a quiet pint away from the madness of the city. They regularly run excellent deals where you can get a pizza along with a pint for a special price. They also provide board games and have to seat at street level as well as in their basement, so it’s the perfect spot for a date if you fancy a private corner for an intimate conversation.

The Black Sheep is part of the Galway Bay Brewery chain of pubs, but the place doesn’t have a samey corporate vibe at all. Serving food and drinks, including all the Galway Bay Brewery drinks on tap, it is a chill spot in the city center that also has a basement function room if you fancy having a special occasion there. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can order a kilo of wings, but they also have a wide-ranging casual menu including excellent vegetarian options.

A long-standing theme for hipster bars in Dublin seems to be mismatched tables and chairs, including armchairs, deck chairs, and any manner of random furniture. Beerhouse definitely fits this mold! While this place doesn’t serve food, it makes up for it with an unusual venue that feels roomy and cozy at the same time. The bar area is small, but the friendly bartenders and the unusual range of draught, bottled, and canned beer will make you feel right at home.

Hacienda is a gem of a bar that you would walk by without even realizing it’s there. You have to ring a doorbell to be admitted to the cash-only venue by the owner, and as you’re ushered into the intimate space, you’ll realize it’s one of the best bars in Dublin. It may not look like much from the outside, but the pub has welcomed a variety of celebrities over the years. You won’t get a wide range of drinks here, but you will get an unrivaled ambiance and the crowd is great because no troublemakers make it past the front door!

With its red neon sign, Dice Bar certainly fits the bill of a hipster bar from the outside – and when you enter, you won’t be disappointed. Dice has been a long-standing gem in Dublin and its combination of music and décor make it one of the coolest hipster spots in Dublin. They don’t specialize in craft beer, but serve a full range of beverages and play a great mix of rock, electronic, and retro music. They also open late so you can dance the night away to your heart’s content.

If you’re a barbecue fanatic, then Bison is the bar for you. Situated on Dublin’s south quays, it serves up some of the best food in the city at super affordable prices. Brisket pulled pork, and sausage is all on the menu, alongside classic sides like coleslaw and mac and cheese. The bar also has unforgettable décor, including chairs made of saddles built in and a range of fun signs behind the bar. They also pride themselves on their whiskey selection, so if you’re not sure where to start, speak to a bartender who can guide you to a whiskey, scotch, or bourbon that will fit your taste. Another late opener, you can also go next door to the Workman’s Club if you fancy a dance.

What’s the point in going on holiday unless you can make your pals jealous? Don’t forget to upload your hipster pints to Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and tag BUCKiTDREAM so your adventures can be seen the world over, inspiring others to see another side of Dublin.